An isolated peak, called a nunatuk, projects through ice near the coast of Antarctica.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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Researchers looking at the IceBridge data believe that the West Antarctic Ice Sheet may be in a state of irreversible decline directly contributing to rising sea levels.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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Scientist John Sonntag plays his guitar during a long flight.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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A laser altimeter aboard the aircraft measures the height of the ice surface.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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IceBridge instruments allow researchers to create detailed photographic maps of polar ice and measure the temperature of the surface below.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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The National Climate Assessment, a study produced every 4 years by scientists from 13 federal agencies of the U.S. government, released a stark report on Nov. 2 stating that global temperature rise over the past 115 years has been primarily caused by "human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases."

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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USGS field geophysicist Katrina Zamudio rests on the return leg of a 9-hour research flight.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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Ice lines a rocky ridge.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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Sea ice floats next to land ice, lower right.

Despite its apparent icy stillness, Antarctica is alive with motion. Huge masses of frozen water slip, slide and grind with enormous pressure against the continent below.

— Mario Tama / Getty Images

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Mission scientist John Sonntag walks to the hangar following a long flight on Nov. 3.